Curved-screen immersive rear projection display

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an immersive rear projection display capable of providing aspect ratios of 2.66:1 or 4:1, or even greater. This allows viewers to be “immersed” in the images being displayed because the images can encompass both the direct and the peripheral views of a viewer. In one implementation, the immersive rear projection display includes two or more electronic projectors (e.g., three) that are positioned behind a curved translucent display screen. The electronic projectors project respective display images adjacent each other onto the display screen.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/161,401, filed May 31, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,074, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rear projection displays and, inparticular, to an immersive rear projection display that includes acurved display screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard computer-related and television displays have width-to-heightaspect ratios of 1.33:1. The greater relative width of standard displaysaccommodates in part the relatively greater horizontal field of view ofhuman vision. However, the relative horizontal field of view of humanvision is significantly greater than the 1.33:1 aspect ratio of standarddisplays. As a consequence, a variety of display formats have beendeveloped to better accommodate the relatively greater horizontal fieldof view of human vision. For example, high-definition television (HDTV)displays are characterized by aspect ratios of 16:9 (i.e., about1.78:1), and the wide-screen cinematic displays such as Cinemascope® andSuper Panavision© have aspect ratios of 2.35:1 and 2.55:1, respectively.

Some electronic- or computer-based display systems project a displayimage onto a display screen for viewing by typically multiple viewers.These display systems employ an electronic or multimedia opticalprojector that may use liquid crystal cells, digital micro-mirrors, etc.to form a display image that is projected onto a display screen. Suchelectronic projectors are available under a variety of trademarksincluding Sony®, Hitachi®, Sharp®, In Focus®, Epson®, etc. In someimplementations, the electronic projector is positioned in front of areflective display screen (i.e., on the same side of the screen as theviewer). In other implementations, the electronic projector ispositioned behind a translucent display screen (i.e., on the oppositeside of the screen relative to the viewer). Conventional electronicprojectors provide display images with the standard 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an immersive rear projection displaycapable of providing aspect ratios of 2.66:1 or 4:1, or even greater.This allows viewers to be immersed in the images being displayed becausethey can encompass both the direct and the peripheral views of a viewer.In one implementation, the immersive rear projection display includestwo or more electronic projectors (e.g., three) that are positionedbehind a curved translucent display screen. The electronic projectorsproject respective display images adjacent each other onto the displayscreen.

The display screen may be curved laterally about a vertical axis and mayreduce or eliminates perspective distortion that can otherwise occur atthe edges of a flat screen. The display screen may be formed as agenerally continuous curve with substantially no discontinuities in thecurvature. In some implementations, the display may include pincushiondistortion-compensating optical elements in association with theelectronic projectors to compensate for pincushion distortion arisingfrom projection of display images onto the curved display screen.Another aspect of this invention is that it may be implemented as alarge-scale display for multiple viewers or in association with adesktop workspace that is configured and sized for viewing generally byonly one viewer.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodimentthereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a curved-screen immersive rearprojection display.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a display image rendered on a curved displayscreen by an electronic projector with conventional flat-screenprojection optics.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of one implementation of adistortion-corrected optical path for an electronic projector directinga display image to display screen.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of another implementation of adistortion-corrected optical path for an electronic projector directinga display image to display screen.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustration of a computer workstationcurved-screen immersive rear projection display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic rear illustration of a curved-screen immersiverear projection display 10 having three electronic projectors 12A, 12B,and 12C, which are collectively referred to as electronic projectors 12and are positioned behind a curved translucent display screen 14.Electronic projectors 12 are well-known in the art and may employ any ofa variety of electronically-controlled display technologies includingliquid crystal displays, digital micromirrors (e.g., DIP™ digital lightprocessing light controllers available from Texas InstrumentsIncorporated), etc., together with appropriate projection optics.

It will be appreciated that immersive rear projection display 10 mayinclude any number of two or more projectors 12. The illustratedimplementation with three electronic projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C ismerely exemplary. Electronic projectors 12 may be enclosed by a cabinet(not shown) that also supports display screen 14 about its periphery.

Electronic projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C project respective displayimages 16A, 16B, and 16C on a rear surface of display screen 14 forviewing by one or more viewers 18 (one shown schematically) positionedin front of display screen 14. Display images 16A, 16B, and 16C may beadjacent segments of a single integrated display image, such as awide-angle panoramic scene or an extended-width table, or may beseparate, generally distinct display images. Display images 16A, 16B,and 16C of respective electronic projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C maycorrespond to the separate virtual desktops of a multi-monitorconfiguration that can be provided by various Windows®-brand operatingsystems, as well as various virtual desktop software utilities forgraphical user interfaces.

Curved display screen 14 includes a laterally concave shape relative toviewer 18 and may be formed relative to a vertical axis 20. In oneimplementation, curved display screen 14 is formed as a generallycontinuous curve with substantially no discontinuities in the curvature.Also, curved display screen 14 may be formed with a generally consistentradius of curvature (i.e., generally as a circular segment), or withouta generally consistent radius of curvature. Curved display screen 14 maybe formed of any translucent material, but in one prototypeimplementation is formed of drawing vellum.

The display images 16 formed by electronic projectors 12 may eachinclude a conventional projection display aspect ratio of about 1.33:1(width-to-height). As a result, the three electronic projectors 12A,12B, and 12C form on curved display screen 14 a combined display imagewith an aspect ratio of about 4:1. Similarly, an implementation ofimmersive rear projection display 10 with only two electronic projectors12 a combined display image with an aspect ratio of about 2.66:1.

Aspect ratios of 2.66:1, or 4:1, or even greater, as provided by thepresent invention, are greater than the aspect ratios of conventionaldisplays. For example, standard computer-related and television displayshave aspect ratios of 1.33:1 and high-definition television (HDTV)displays are characterized by aspect ratios of 16:9 (i.e., about1.78:1). In addition, wide-screen cinematic displays such asCinemascope® and Super Panavision® have aspect ratios of 2.35:1 and2.55:1, respectively.

Accordingly, the wider aspect ratios that can be provided by the presentinvention provide a display that can encompass a wide degree ofperipheral vision of viewer 18, thereby giving viewer 18 an impressionof being immersed in the displayed image. While viewer 18 may be able togive direct attention to only the portion of the display screen 14 inthe direct field of view, viewer 18 may rapidly and convenientlyre-direct the field of view to other portions of display screen 14. Thelateral curvature of display screen 14 enhances the impression of viewerimmersion and reduces or eliminates perspective distortion that canotherwise occur at the edges of a flat screen.

FIG. 2 is a front view, as observed by viewer 18, of a display image 16Brendered on curved display screen 14 by an electronic projector 12 withconventional flat-screen projection optics. The following description ismade with reference to display image 16B as an example, but is similarlyapplicable to any other display image 16.

Display image 16B illustrates pincushion distortion effects 30 and 32(exaggerated for clarity) that can occur along respective top edge 34and bottom edge 36 due to the lateral curvature of display screen 14 incombination with conventional flat screen projection optics. Pincushiondistortion effects do not occur along lateral edges 38 and 40 of displayimage 16B in the absence of a vertical curvature in display screen 14.

It will be appreciated that pincushion-corrected optical elements couldbe incorporated into electronic projectors 12 to compensate for andsubstantially reduce pincushion distortion effects 30 and 32. Inparticular, appropriate compensating barrel distortion may beincorporated into the optical elements of electronic projectors 12.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of one implementation of adistortion-corrected optical path 50 for electronic projector 12Bdirecting a display image to display screen 14. The followingdescription is made with reference to electronic projector 12B as anexample, but is similarly applicable to other electronic projectors 12.

Optical path 50 includes a curved, concave reflector 52 positioned toreceive a projected image from electronic projector 12B and reflect theprojected image onto display screen 14. Concave reflector 52 may have aparabolic, toroidal, or a spherical curvature. While a toroidalcurvature could best compensate pincushion distortion effects 30 and 32,a spherical or parabolic curvature would provide adequate compensationat a significantly reduced cost. In one simplified implementation, aconventional amateur astronomical mirror with a diameter of 10 inches orless may function as concave reflector 52.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of one implementation of adistortion-corrected optical path 60 for electronic projector 12Bdirecting a display image to display screen 14. The followingdescription is made with reference to electronic projector 12B as anexample, but is similarly applicable to other electronic projectors 12.

Distortion-corrected optical path 60 is analogous todistortion-corrected optical path 50 and includes a curved, concavereflector 62 positioned to receive a projected image from electronicprojector 12B and reflect the projected image onto display screen 14 viaa flat fold mirror 64. Distortion-corrected optical path 60 with flatfold mirror 64 allow optical path 60 to be folded and more compact thana comparable distortion-corrected optical path 50.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustration of a computer workstationcurved-screen immersive rear projection display 70 that includes acomputer workstation 72 having at least one computer input device 74 incommunication with a computer 76. Although illustrated as being local toworkstation 72, computer 76 may alternatively be located remotely.

Multiple (e.g., three) electronic projectors 80 are positioned behind acurved translucent display screen 82 and are in communication withcomputer 76 to receive display image signals from which to projectrespective computer display images adjacent each other onto displayscreen 82. Display screen 82 may be formed with a radius of curvature ofabout 34 inches (86 cm) and may have a height 84 of 12 inches (30 cm)and a length 86 of 48 inches (120 cm).

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention withreference to an illustrated embodiment, it will be recognized that theillustrated embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail withoutdeparting from such principles. In view of the many possible embodimentsto which the principles of the invention may be applied, it should berecognized that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of our invention. All suchembodiments may come within the scope and spirit of the following claimsand equivalents thereto.

1. A curved-screen rear projection display, comprising: a curvedtranslucent display screen; plural electronic projectors positionedbehind the display screen to project respective display images adjacenteach other onto the display screen; and pincushiondistortion-compensating optical elements in association with theelectronic projectors to compensate for pincushion distortion arisingfrom projection of display images onto the curved display screen.
 2. Thedisplay of claim 1 in which the display screen has an aspect ratio of atleast 2.66:1 for width-to-height.
 3. The display of claim 1 in which thedisplay screen has an aspect ratio of at least 4:1 for width-to-height.4. The display of claim 1 in which the display screen is formed as agenerally continuous curve with substantially no discontinuities in thecurvature.
 5. The display of claim 1 in which the display screen iscurved laterally about a vertical axis.
 6. The display of claim 1 inwhich the display screen is associated with a desktop workspace and issized for viewing generally by only one viewer.
 7. A computerworkstation curved-screen rear projection display, comprising: acomputer workstation having at least one computer input device incommunication with a computer; a curved translucent display screen;plural electronic projectors positioned behind the display screen and incommunication with the computer to project respective computer displayimages adjacent each other onto the display screen; and pincushiondistortion compensating optical elements in association with theelectronic projectors to compensate for pincushion distortion arisingfrom projection of display images onto the curved display screen.
 8. Thedisplay of claim 7 in which the display screen has an aspectration of atleast 2.66:1 for width-to-height.
 9. The display of claim 7 in which thedisplay screen has an aspectration of at least 4:1 for width-to-height.10. The display of claim 7 in which the display screen is formed as agenerally continuous curve with substantially no discontinuities in thecurvature.
 11. The display of claim 7 in which the display screen iscurved laterally about a vertical axis.
 12. A curved-screen rearprojection display, comprising: a curved translucent display screenhaving an aspect ratio of at least 4:1 for width to height; and pluralelectronic projectors positioned behind the display screen to projectrespective display images adjacent each other onto the display screen.13. The display of claim 12 in which the display screen is formed as agenerally continuous curve with substantially no discontinuities in thecurvature.
 14. The display of claim 12 further comprising pincushiondistortion-compensating optical elements in association with theelectronic projectors to compensate for pincushion distortion arisingfrom projection of display images onto the curved display screen. 15.The display of claim 14 in which the pincushion distortion-compensatingoptical elements further comprise curved reflectors positioned inoptical paths between the electronic projectors and the curved displayscreen.
 16. The display of claim 12 in which the display screen iscurved laterally about a vertical axis.
 17. The display of claim 12 inwhich the display screen is associated with a desktop workspace and isconfigured and sized for viewing generally by only one viewer.
 18. Acomputer workstation curved-screen rear projection display, comprising:a computer workstation having at least one computer input device incommunication with a computer; a curved translucent display screenhaving an aspect ratio of at least 4:1 for width-to-height; and pluralelectronic projectors positioned behind the display screen and incommunication with the computer to project respective computer displayimages adjacent each other onto the display screen.
 19. The display ofclaim 18 in which the display screen is formed as a generally continuouscurve with substantially no discontinuities in the curvature.
 20. Thedisplay of claim 18 in which the display screen is curved laterallyabout a vertical axis.
 21. The display of claim 18, further comprisingpincushion distortion-compensating optical elements in association withthe electronic projectors to compensate for pincushion distortionarising from projection of display images onto the curved displayscreen.
 22. The display of claim 21, in which the pincushiondistortion-compensating optical elements further comprise curvedreflectors positioned in optical paths between the electronic projectorsand the curved display screen.
 23. A curved-screen immersive rearprojection display method, comprising: providing display image signalscorresponding to plural adjacent display image segments to pluralrespective rear-projection electronic projectors; projecting the pluraldisplay images from the plural electronic projectors onto a rear surfaceof a curved translucent display screen; and providing pincushiondistortion compensation in association with the electronic projectors tocompensate for pincushion distortion arising from the projection ofdisplay images onto the curved display screen.
 24. The method of claim23 further comprising providing the display image signals from acomputer.
 25. The method of claim 23 in which the display screen has anaspect ratio of at least 2.66:1 for width-to-height.
 26. The method ofclaim 23 in which the display screen has an aspect ratio of at least 4:1for width to height.
 27. The method of claim 23 in which the displayscreen is formed as a generally continuous curve with substantially nodiscontinuities in the curvature.
 28. The method of claim 23 in whichthe display screen is curved only laterally about a vertical axis. 29.The method of claim 23 in which the display screen is associated with adesktop workspace and is configured and sized for viewing generally byonly one viewer.